By Prince Osuagwu

Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Communications Satellite, NIGCOMSAT, Limited, Engr. Ahmed Rufai, Wednesday, said the launch of NIGCOMSAT’s replacement in China on December 19 was part of Federal Government’s strategic plans to create new employment opportunities for the teeming Nigerian unemployed youths.

He, however, dismissed the impression that Nigeria was launching a fresh satellite after the NigComSat was deorbited in 2008, saying the correct situation was that Great China Walls, the original builders of the deorbited satellite and the insurance company agreed to replace the satellite since it developed fault barely one year after launch.

Rufai noted that the replacement satellite did not cost the country additional investment.

He spoke in Lagos, Wednesday, while presenting the deliverables of the satellite to stakeholders in a three-day conference tagged NigComSat1R Pre-Launch Conference. He said the replacement satellite was designed with the prevailing circumstances in Nigeria in mind.

According to him, having seen the benefits that accrue to so many other countries of the world through communications satellite, Nigeria made sure that the prospects of the new satellite would enhance the country’s standing in the African and world economy of scale.